It has been more than three years since the Cuban hip-hop duo Krudas
Cubensi came through Orange County to rock the mic in SanTana. Being one
of the most talented outfits to emerge from the island nation's
distinct and emergent scene, it has felt much longer than that for
those who have already experienced their energetic live sets.
Together, Pasa Kruda (Odaymara Cuesta) and Pelusa MC (Olivia Prendes)
combine socially conscious lyrics with skillful delivery to create a
brand of hip-hop more than capable of bolstering their feminist claim,
No hay verdadera revolución sin mujeres / (There's no true revolution
without women!) More than a few have taken notice as documentary filmmakers, scholars, and most recently an article on Colorlines have made Krudas Cubensi an indispensable subject of their work.
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The mujeristas on the mic made a name for themselves starting out many years ago in Havana, Cuba before ultimately relocating to Austin, Texas. Since being stateside, they have traveled to coast to coast from California to New York while also networking shows in Latin America performing in Mexico, Puerto Rico and Guatemala in conjunction with the respective hip-hop communities there. While south of the border in Mexico, they were able to film and release their best music video to date for “No Me Dejaron” off of their sophomore album Kandela.
In between all the travel time, making a living off their art, and effecting change in society through activism, Krudas Cubensi have been hard at work writing and recording songs for a forthcoming third album slated to be completed before the year's end. The duo will be performing new material from that project as well as a recent compilation mixtape, plus all the classics from their days rapping on la isla when they return to Santa Ana on Friday night.
It will be another rare occasion to check out what Cuban hip-hop is all about from one of the genre's finest representatives.
Krudas Cubensi with special guests DJ Michelle, Marisoul, Ruby Castellanos and Fadia Mosri at the Orange County Center of Contemporary Arts, 117 N. Sycamore Street, Santa Ana, Fri. 8 p.m. $6 donation suggested. All Ages.
Gabriel San Román is from Anacrime. He’s a journalist, subversive historian and the tallest Mexican in OC. He also once stood falsely accused of writing articles on Turkish politics in exchange for free food from DönerG’s!